I am currently a Business Analyst at McKinsey, and before this was on the Unilever Future Leaders graduate scheme, where I specialised in Finance.
The University was instrumental in helping me get these roles. The careers department ran graduate careers fairs where major employers marketed themselves to the students, they also ran a Professional Development module which gave solid advice on how to get competitive graduate roles.
There were constantly events on campus where top employers would give talks, join panels or run workshops to help students with their applications.
Why did you originally apply to Birmingham?
I knew I wanted to join a University with a large population of students in an affordable and fun city. I also wanted to be part of a campus University, because they create a strong sense of community. I had friends who had studied there, and they all encouraged me to apply for the reasons above.
What do you think of the learning experience at Birmingham?
Studying on the campus created a genuine sense of community, I constantly bumped into friends between lectures which really made me feel at home.
From my first week, my Lecturers were taking the time to ensure that I understood the course content and felt supported. I had a lot of choice when it came to selecting modules, so I was able to study really interesting and quite specialised areas of Economics.
When I became unwell in my second year, there was a Lecturer trained in wellbeing who immediately helped me reschedule an upcoming assessment with no hassle. I felt very supported.
I really enjoyed writing my extended essay in my final year, and was given freedom to investigate a niche topic (the economics of black markets). My supervisor gave me solid support and guidance throughout – thank you Johannes!
What university experiences did you benefit from outside of your course?
I joined the Debating Society, which gave me confidence in public speaking and improved my ability to make structured arguments. This really helped both my essay writing skills and career. The Debating Society is where I met my closest friends, who I still see regularly now that we have graduated. I became part of the committee, which was super helpful for Internship applications.
In my first year, the University gave me financial support to do Microfinance work experience in Honduras. It was an incredible experience, and allowed me to apply my studies in the real world.
What are your fondest memories of the University?
My fondest memories are constantly being with my best friends, meeting new people almost every day, and spending time on a beautiful campus.
What advice would you give other students?
My advice would be to enjoy yourself. Invest your time in having fun and meeting great people. Recognise when you need to focus on learning and job applications and get it done.